This collection contains materials documenting Darrell Holmes's presidency from 1964-1971, including search committee records for the various candidates for the college president in 1963 and 1964. These records also include the materials created when Darrell Holmes was a candidate for the position and document the various stages he went through as part of the selection process. Materials also include Holmes' efforts and success in changing the status of the college to the university level in 1970 along with the change in the school name from Colorado State College to the University of Northern Colorado. Materials surrounding the status and name change include several documents both to and from the State Senate and copies of a Senate Bill specifically on the status change and how it would be initiated.

There are also materials relating to student activism on campus during his term as president and his response to the activism and student demands surrounding program changes and actions in light of other university protests at the time. Holmes' response to the student demands is also included in the collection and includes his proposed changes to accommodate most of the demands made by the students. There are also materials on student activism in light of the events at Kent State and how the administration and students reacted. While most of the materials elude to nothing major happening, some of the materials include evidence of bomb threats on campus and the faculty, staff, and students working together to make sure the school stayed safe. Other materials include university enrollment and reorganization reports, speeches, newspaper clippings from various local papers, and Charter Day records. Additionally, the collection contains audio tapes from both Charter Day and an address to minority students responding to their demands.